2013 Top Advisor Rankings: Utah

Ranked #1: R. Scott Runia ♦ As the debate over the fiscal cliff escalated and finally reached a resolution of sorts, Runia's clients became focused on taxes and how much income would end up in their pockets at the end of the day. "On the federal level, they're up a little over 8% in their taxes, and that has caused them to be more concerned. The spending on the ultrafrivolous things is going away," he says. To sidestep some of these increased taxes and generate income, he has invested in tax-free municipal bonds while carefully hedging against a rise in rates. But Runia, 55, isn't persuaded that rates are set to surge: "We may stay lower, longer than everyone thinks. Maybe the bond market is just telling us we're in a slow-growth environment." Outside of the office, Runia stays busy with nine grandchildren and his senior position in the Mormon church. He is currently serving a five-year term as a stake president overseeing 12 bishops. --MICHAEL SHARI